51����

Under the federal McKinney-Vento Act, as reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), McKinney-Vento liaisons must participate in annual professional development so they can better identify and meet the needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness (42 U.S.C.§§ 11432[f][6] & [g][6][A][ix]). The 51���� (51���� or “the Department”) requires that the McKinney-Vento liaison from each local educational agency (LEA) attend at least one of the professional development sessions offered by the Department’s technical assistance center, New York State Technical and Educational Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS), by June 30, 2027, to comply with the federal training requirement.

NYS-TEACHS provides free training and webinars for LEAs, social service providers, and other professionals on the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento liaisons must attend one complete live NYS-TEACHS webinar and submit the required survey to receive a certificate of attendance. Liaisons should retain their certificate for documentation purposes during ESSA- Funded Program Monitoring. Please visit for the 2026-2027 complete list of trainings.

McKinney-Vento grant funds and/or Title I, Part A funds may be used for travel-related expenses and staff replacement costs related to attendance at one of the workshops NYS-TEACHS will offer. Please visit for additional information regarding professional development on topics related to the duties of McKinney-Vento liaisons and supporting students experiencing homelessness.

McKinney-Vento liaisons are also required to provide training to LEA personnel providing McKinney-Vento services (e.g., Superintendents, registrars, transportation directors, CSE chairs, school counselors, school social workers, principals, school attorneys, and Title I directors, teachers) on meeting the needs of students experiencing homelessness. Liaisons can use this comprehensive and for planning and providing this required training. A complete list of McKinney-Vento liaison responsibilities can be found within the Sample Local Education Policy on the Education of Students in Temporary Housing.

Questions regarding the information in this memo can be directed to the State Homeless Program Coordinator Jane Fronheiser at Jane.Fronheiser@nysed.gov or NYS-TEACHS at info@nysteachs.org or by calling 1-800-388-2014, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

��

��

cc:

Alexandra Pressley
Jane Fronheiser